Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2024
109. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he could intervene in a case of a person who recently arrived from Ukraine (details supplied) and wishes to be reunited with her family, who are already in sponsored accommodation. [9549/24]
View answerMy Department has updated its reunification protocol due to the mounting challenges in procuring additional accommodation places for new arrivals into Ireland. The updated reunification protocol seeks to maximise the availability of beds in the system while also acknowledging the exceptional need of certain individuals. People can request to move into a room of existing contacts if there is a bed available in the room that is already being occupied. If an additional room is required for reunification this will only be possible when someone is joining a close family member and the reunification is required for caring or support reasons.
The Ukrainian Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT), which can be contacted at ukrainetempaccom@equality.gov.ie, evaluates applications for exceptional reunification on a case by case basis.
I am advised by my officials that the person referred to by the Deputy has been in contact with UCTAT and that their application for exceptional reunification is currently being evaluated.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements for accommodation using supports provided by the Department of Social Protection or by asking their Local Authority or Irish Red Cross for pledged accommodation. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at registerofpledges@redcross.ie or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.
